Donald Trump says he is "fairly close" to agreeing a deal to allow young immigrants, known as "Dreamers", to stay in the US after talks with senior Democrats.

But the President made it clear that border security must be included in any new plan.

In a series of early morning tweets on Thursday, the US leader appeared to have softened his stance on young people known as 'DACAs', or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - young people brought to the US to stay by illegal immigrants.

"Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military? Really!" Mr Trump tweeted.

Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military? Really!.....

However, those congressional leaders, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, were more effusive, saying: "There was no final deal, but... we agreed that the President would support enshrining DACA protections into law, and encourage the House (of Representatives) and Senate to act."

Image:Protesters rally in support of DACA outside the White House

"What remains to be negotiated are the details of border security," they added, saying Democrats would continue to oppose plans for a border wall.

Instead, a draft border security package could include using new technology, drones, air support, sensors and rebuilding roads, they said.

But as he set out for Florida to assess the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Irma, Mr Trump appeared to undermine that claim, telling reporters: "I think we are fairly close but we have to get massive border security. We are working on a plan for DACA. People want to see that happen.

"You have 800,000 young people brought here, so we are working on a plan and we will see how it works out. We will see what happens. Something will happen."

The WALL, which is already under construction in the form of new renovation of old and existing fences and walls, will continue to be built.

He had earlier tweeted: "The WALL, which is already under construction in the form of new renovation of old and existing fences and walls, will continue to be built."

The DACAs, or "Dreamers", were granted the right to remain in the country by Mr Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama via executive order, meaning it was not approved by Congress.

However, Mr Trump, who made immigration control and the need for a border wall with Mexico a central part of his White House campaign, reversed the order, giving Congress six months to come up with an alternative.